After the 'gasoline shower'

Yesterday, contemplating Rick Perry's misery after his debate performance Wednesday night, I emailed Mike Huckabee and said he should consider jumping into the GOP presidential race. His response: "It might be too late. It is amazing how things have turned out. I didn't think Perry would do that well, but I never imagined he would take a gasoline shower and light a match to himself this soon."

It might be too late, but it might not be. The old, "retail" politics of handshaking seems unessential in the new world of frequent debates. Huckabee already has name recognition. His populism would bring strident opposition from the Club for Growth but support from Sam's Club. Organization for the Iowa caucus could be difficult, but Huckabee already has a reservoir of goodwill in that state.

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The Republican race so far has been amazing, as Huckabee noted, but maybe it's time for Al Jolson's line in the first movie with sound, The Jazz Singer: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain't heard nothin' yet."

Marvin Olasky

Marvin is editor in chief of WORLD News Group and the author of more than 20 books, including The Tragedy of American Compassion. Follow Marvin on Twitter @MarvinOlasky.